New Mexicans could soon be able to buy lottery tickets with a debit card if a new bill makes its way through the legislature.

New Mexicans could soon be able to buy lottery tickets with a debit card if a new bill makes its way through the legislature.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 5:39 PM MST Mar 5, 2015

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT JESSICA TRUJILLO SAID THAT HELPS KIDS. YOU CAN SOON BY LOTTERY TICKETS WITH YOUR DEBIT CARD. I DON'T PLAY AS OFTEN. WHEN I SEE THE BOARD, WHEN IT'S HIGH, I'M LIKE, I'M GOING TO GO PLAY. BUT OTHERWISE I DON'T. AND THAT, THE NEW MEXICO SENATE SAYS, IS THE PROBLEM. LOTTERY TICKET SALES IN NEW MEXICO ARE DOWN MORE THAN 50% SINCE 2008. THEY SAY THE NEW MEXICO LOTTERY NEEDS TO BE RESUSCITATED, AND MORE REVENUE NEEDS TO GO TOWARD ADVERTISING AND PAYING OUT WINNERS. WHICH IS WHY THEY'VE COME UP WITH A PLAN TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER WAY TO BUY THAT WINNING LOTTERY TICKET. SO, IF YOU COULD GO THE GAS PUMP AND GET MORE THAN JUST GAS WITH YOUR DEBIT CARD, YOU COULD GET A LOTTERY TICKET, TOO, WOULD YOU DO IT? YEAH! FOR SURE. YES. I WOULD. THAT'S MUSIC TO THE SENATE'S EARS. THE BILL AIMS TO BOOST ANNUAL LOTTERY SALES FROM NEAR $70 MILLION IN 2014 TO ABOUT $170 MILLION IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. MAKE IT EASIER. [LAUGHTER] YOU KNOW, AND MORE CONVENIENT. BECAUSE IT'S EASIER AND I RARELY CARRY CASH. RIGHT NOW, NEW MEXCIO RANKS 38TH IN THE NATION AMONG INSTANT LOTTERY SALES. BUT, IF OUR RANDOM SURVEY IS ANY INDICATION -- YES. IT'D BE A LOT EASIER. -- OUR ODDS OF RISING IN THE RANKS LOOK PRETTY GOOD. THE BILL WOULD CHANGE THE WAY

Change would allow lotto sales on debit cards

New Mexicans could soon be able to buy lottery tickets with a debit card if a new bill makes its way through the legislature.